Now Playing

Thursday

Apr 30, 2009 at 11:35 AM

Ashland Street Cinemas and Varsity Theatre

Varsity Theatre

Fierce Light

Filmmaker Velcrow Ripper takes an insightful look at change motivated by love. All over the world, he discovers the rising movement of "spiritual activism," and the dynamic personalities who are igniting its compassionate force to reclaim autonomy, heal wounds of history and empower and transform themselves. The film features interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, Buddhist peace activist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, tree-sitter Julia Butterfly Hill, actress and spiritual activist Daryl Hannah and many more. Not Rated/97m/

Once, Buck Howard's mind-boggling feats as a mentalist extraordinaire — not to be confused with those of a mere magician — earned him a marquee act in Vegas and appearances on the Tonight Show. But now it's clear to everyone but Buck that his act has lost its luster; he performs in community centers, and hasn't sold out a theater in years. Yet, with a hearty handshake and a trademark "I love this town!" Buck Howard perseveres, confident in his own celebrity, convinced his comeback is imminent. He just needs a new road manager and personal assistant. As it turns out, recent law school drop-out, would-be writer Troy needs a job and a purpose. Working for the pompous, has-been mentalist fills the former requirement, but how it satisfies the latter is questionable, especially to his father, who still assumes Troy is in law school. John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, Emily Blunt, Tom Hanks, Steve Zahn, Ricky Jay, Griffin Dunne, Adam Scott, Debra Monk. PG for some language including suggestive remarks, and a drug reference/90m/F/Magnolia

Sunshine Cleaning

In order to raise the tuition to send her young son to private school, a mom starts an unusual business — a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service — with her slacker sister who lives at home with their dad, Joe, a salesman with a history of ill-fated get rich quick schemes. Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Jason Spevak, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub. R for language, disturbing images, some sexuality and drug use/92m/S/Overture

State of Play

Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins is the future of his political party. The rising star is expected to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race, until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out. D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey has the dubious fortune of an old friendship with Collins, and uses his street smarts to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation's most promising political and corporate figures. Directed by Kevin Macdonald ("Last King of Scotland"; Starring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman. PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content/127m/S/Universal

Ashland Street Cinemas

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Hugh Jackman reprises his role as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, retractable claws and a primal fury. Leading up to the events of "X-Men," this is the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new. Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney, Lynn Collins. PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some partial nudity/107m/S/Fox

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Connor Mead is a committed bachelor with a no-strings policy. On the eve of his brother's wedding, Connor's mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for everyone — including Connor's childhood friend Jenny, the one woman in his life who has always seemed immune to his considerable charm. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he gets a wake-up call from the ghost of his late Uncle Wayne, a legendary ladies man, delivered through the ghosts of Connor's jilted girlfriends - past, present and future. Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone, Michael Douglas. PG-13 for sexual content throughout, some language and a drug reference/100m/S/WB

A ragtag group of Monsters, including a 50-foot tall California girl, is kept locked up in a covert government compound until a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In desperation, the president is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction. Voice talents of Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland, Paul Rudd. PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language/94m/S/Paramount

Adventureland

It's the summer of 1987, and James, an uptight recent college grad, can't wait to embark on his dream tour of Europe. But when his parents announce they can no longer subsidize his trip, James has little choice but to take a lowly job at a local amusement park. Lucky for James, what should have been his worst summer ever turns into quite an adventure as he discovers love with a captivating co-worker. Jesse Eisenberg, Ryan Reynolds, Kristen Stewart, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Martin Starr. R for language, drug use and sexual references/106m/F/Miramax

17 Again

A middle-aged father wakes up to find he's 17 years old again and goes to school to see what his kids' lives are like as one of their peers. Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon, Katerina Graham, Sterling Knight. PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying/102m/S/Warner Bros.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.